MANILA, Oct. 31 (PNA) - President Benigno S. Aquino III commended the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) for its exemplary service to the nation, especially in the field of the search-and-rescue operations,

In the same vein, the PCGA was lauded for being a steady partner of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

This took place during the retirement of PCG commandant Admiral Rodolfo D Isorena last Oct. 26, 2015.

In his speech delivered by Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Aquino commended the PCG and PCGA for working together in saving about 42,000 lives in 395 search and rescue operations.

An outstanding example of such is the joint search and retrieval operations conducted by the PCG and PCGA for the ill-fated M/V St. Thomas Aquinas in Cebu last 2013 and the crashed Cessna plane of then DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Technical divers from the Coast Guard Auxiliary have joined in the search and recovery of the missing bodies and wreckage of the above-mentioned ship and aircraft.

The PCGA has been a reliable partner of the Coast Guard for over four decades, assisting the latter in the areas of maritime safety, maritime search-and-rescue, marine environmental protection and coastal community relations.

Aquino also mentioned the tireless efforts of the PCGA in conducting regular coastal clean-up and mangrove planting activities, partnered with marine environmental information drives to the coastal communities and fisherfolk. (PNA) RMA/PFN